How to Prepare Your Yard for a New Puppy

Bringing a new puppy into your home can be a wonderful experience, but it’s also something you need to prepare for. Puppies need love, but they also need certain amenities and objects in order to thrive, which is why you need to plan out your life with the puppy before bringing one home.

Most people plan for a puppy by thinking about the necessities the dog will require inside the home, such as food/water bowls, puppy pads, crate, etc. Not many people put much thought into what your dog will need while outside, yet this is extremely important for your dog’s health and safety.

Sure you may have bought a collar and a leash, but if you dog will be spending some time outdoors in your yard without the leash, it’s important for you to also prepare your yard for the dog instead of just the inside of your home.

Get a fence.

When you have a puppy, a fence will be the best form of defense. Not only will a fence keep your dog inside your yard, eliminating the risk of having your dog (especially puppies) run away, but fences will also keep outside critters from getting into your yard. This will eliminate your dog’s chances of coming in contact with something they think they should eat, such as a bunny, or something that could cause them discomfort, such as a skunk. If you don’t currently have one, consider installing a fence, using an electric dog fence, or keeping your do on a leash while in the yard.

Remove any harmful plants.

Your puppy is going to be extremely inquisitive, which means that they will taste, touch, and smell everything in your yard. If you have any plants that are dangerous to dogs, this could be fatal. Be sure to research, which plants are harmful to dogs and determine if you have any of these items in your yard. If you do, remove them immediately.

Remove any harmful objects.

Along with plants, your yard can be home to other harmful objects for your puppy. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your yard looking for potentially harmful items. Sharp corners on flowerbeds can be a danger to your dog, and small (or large) holes in your yard or in fences can also serve as a means of injury or escape. Eliminate any dangers you find before allowing your new puppy in your yard.

Provide shelter.

Dogs love being outside, but that doesn’t mean they can stay outside forever, especially in harsh weather conditions. You want to be sure that your yard provides some type of shelter for your dog so that they’re not always stuck in inclement weather. For example, a doghouse or covered porch can provide shelter when the sun is too hot and your dog needs shade; when it’s raining; or when it’s snowing.

Provide water.

Your puppy will love running around your yard, and this will make them thirsty. Be sure that you have plenty of water available for your puppy while he or she is outside. You can simply put a bowl out there with the dog every time he or she is outside, or you can invest in a constant flow water bowl that hooks up to your water line. This bowl can stay outside forever and will refill when needed on its own, eliminating you from the responsibility.

My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa.
I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses.
I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time.
Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone